Blades Case Now Up To Courts

July 20, 1995

The perception of special treatment for Brian Blades was reduced greatly by the formal charge of manslaughter filed against him. The well-known and well-paid professional football player, a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, was charged in connection with the July 5 shooting death of his cousin.

After two weeks of public criticism about how the case was handled, Plantation police said on Tuesday they believe that although the shooting of Charles Blades, 34, was unintentional, Brian Blades should bear responsibility. Police used the phrase, "culpable negligence," because they said the gun when fired was in Brian Blades' hands and less than 4 inches from his cousin's throat.

The case now will go through the legal system, probably starting with a grand jury investigation, which is entirely proper. Prosecutors and Blades' attorneys will argue about the allegations against him, and if the case goes to trial, a judge and jury will be involved.

That process will be much better for public confidence about the criminal justice system. For two weeks Blades avoided speaking to the police, which he had every right to do, but appeared at a public news conference at which he read a statement but answered no questions.

The sequence left the impression of a suspect successfully evading the justice system while trying to build a public image of a sobbing, penitent bystander who had no responsibility for what happened. Now other forces will take over, and Blades, 29, probably will have to answer tough questions, at least from the grand jury.

More details of the shooting, and the argument that preceded it, no doubt will come out as the justice system goes through its paces. Evidently involved in the argument were Brian Blades' brother, Bennie, and his former girlfriend.

The guilt or innocence of Brian Blades will be determined not by public comments, by him or others. Instead the decision will come through the slow grinding process of the justice system which, with all its flaws, is what a nation and community governed by law must rely on.